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Articles -
We want to challenging people to embrace a new way of approaching
prejudice, bigotry, and violence against the lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) community. These articles were
written from our extensive research and countless hours of ministry.
We invite you to read through them allowing your mind to be open
and receptive. 
These are not the typical approaches and we are not screaming advocates
with an agenda to warp your ideals. We simply offer a different
perspective and ask you to place them next to your own viewpoints
to see if they can evolve together to bring about a more healthy
response and ultimately a more peaceful community, country and world.
"I dare you to read these articles with an open heart and
see if you can find a new way of approaching your own choices, and
a new way of loving yourself and your LGBTQ friends and family!"
- Kori
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I recently had a friend ask me a question about some darkness
in my past. While going through this conversation I wondered
to myself how many people have struggled with the pain of
someone asking about their past; their secrets. When this
friend and I were talking I had so much pain and so many memories
resurface and I became angry again. I’ve dealt with
these things many times before and each time it’s a
little easier, but it still catches me off guard and takes
time to deal with. I don’t know of many secrets I hold
anymore. But I wonder if you do? Read
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Transitions are everywhere aren’t they? It seems like
we’re always in some kind of transition whether it’s
a move, a change of school or friends, a divorce or a breakup,
maybe even a new relationship or job. Maybe the transition
is in finally learning how to live “out of the closet.”
Whatever it is, we seem to always hit obstacles in our path.
Sometimes these obstacles are little pebbles in our paths
that we can easily go around. But sometimes these obstacles
are unsightly potholes that leave us with a flat tire and
off on the side of the road. Read
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I recently watched the movie Freedom Writers and if you haven’t
seen it I highly recommend it. It’s based on a true
story where a teacher goes into a rundown school where the
faculty just lets the students slide by simply because they
haven’t been taught how much they matter. These kids
are trouble makers and seem like they don’t care about
their education. This teacher thought she could make a difference
and she did! All of that to say there was this specific scene
where Erin Gruwell (the teacher) and her father were sitting
in a room and her father was talking about her desire to help
these kids when he said to her, “you have been blessed
with a burden my daughter.” Read
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When asked to write on the topic of sharing your faith as
a gay Christian I had to take a step back and think about
it. I mean, how have I shared my faith since I came out less
than a year ago? I have to admit I haven’t had many
opportunities to do so lately and unfortunately, the opportunities
I had, I backed away from. I was scared. Why? Because I wasn’t
firm yet in who I was. I was still figuring out how to live
an openly gay lifestyle and didn’t know how to combine
the two aspects of myself. Read
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While “coming out” and “living
real” seems to be a theme in our LGBT community, many
of us struggle in being real throughout our relationship with
God. What does it mean to get real and to be authentic with
Jesus? Doesn’t He know everything anyway? Sadly many
of us have a warped view of how we are to act and look as
Christians in our everyday lives. Christ does see all and
knows all, so there’s really no reason to hide anything
from Him. But for some reason we think if we wear our clothes
just right or quote enough Scripture, surely we will impress
God to the point of gaining eternal life. Being a true, real
Christian is all about our heart condition. Read
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In
our world as we know it today – we have many different
religions, faiths, cults, and “paths to god.”
Some might say god is a woman, a spirit, a tree or just a
feeling. God is our conscience or an evil puppeteer tormenting
us as his experiment. As Christians when we speak of “Our
God” we are usually referring to Jehovah, God Almighty,
the God of the Bible. But when we make blanketed statements
about how our God views us or others we must take caution
and be sure that we are speaking His Truth and not our own
version. Read More >>
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When
you start dating and fall in love, it's natural to want to
express your love in physical ways. However, you know it's
not only healthy (keeping away from STD's) but it's also great
in God's eyes to remain sexually pure—in both your actions
and your thoughts. Sometimes it's a tough balance, but showing
love for another and remaining pure is possible. Here are
some suggestions: Read More
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What happens when a friend comes out to
you and says that he/she is gay? Think what it would be like
to take your personal journal out in public and let everyone
passing by read it - your intimate, secret thoughts exposed
to the world. Would you feel scared and anxious? That's exactly
the anxiety that might be in your friend's mind when she decides
to come out to you. So, what would you do?
Read More >>
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Over the years, I've discovered that there
are many people, including many Christians, who really have
a hard time accepting themselves. I surely did! Self-acceptance
is very important because the way we feel about ourselves
greatly affects our success in life and in our relationships.
I have found that the key to developing a healthy self-image,
or good "inner picture" of ourselves, is not based
on our perfect performance—it's based on God's view
of us. In order to truly succeed at being ourselves, we need
to begin seeing ourselves the way God sees us—through
the eyes of unconditional love. Read
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We are all created with a deep thirst for
God in our hearts, an empty longing that only God can satisfy.
We try to quench that thirst with so many things--significance,
success, comfort, peace, wisdom, and even relationships. But
all these things, however good, cannot meet our deepest needs.
We often drink deeply at these wells and fountains, coming
away with a thirst even deeper than before. Long ago, the
prophet Jerimiah brought us God's description of our condition.
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Have
you heard of God’s unconditional love? That phrase “unconditional
love” is never mentioned in the Bible, so does it actually
exist or is God’s love earned by following conditions
and rules? This is answered in two keys verses of the Bible
John 3:16 and Romans 8:38-39. "For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in
him shall not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16.
This shows us that God loved us first – without conditions
– just as we are. Read
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It could be as subtle as hearing “Aunt
Marge” whisper to another relative “We need to
pray for that boy. He struggles with his sexuality;”
or as loud as a screaming stranger holding a sign that reads
“God Hates Fags.” It could be seen in the form
of a friend finding out that you have a same sex partner and
“accidentally” losing your phone number; or it
can be seen as the door is closed in your face by a parent
trying to show “God’s tough love.” - Anyway
that it is seen – it is deeply felt and it hurts. Prejudice
is never easy to deal with but especially if the person judging
you calls themselves a “Christian.”
Read More
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Was I dropped on my head as a baby? Or
did I wear too much plaid growing up? Maybe I didn't get enough
vitamins? Was there something lacking in my relationship with
my mother? Some might say these are silly questions, but I
have had lesbians across the world ask me questions just like
that trying to figure out "Can I change my sexual orientation
or was I born this way?" This question is a touchy subject
in our society. It obviously affects me personally as well.
As a Christian often times we wonder why God puts us through
trials and challenging times. You might doubt your existence
thinking, “Am I a mistake? Should I change my sexual
behavior or did God design me this way?” Read
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#1. I will be your God when all other gods
fail you, hurt you, and leave you. Put me first in all you
do and peace is yours – Guaranteed! #2. I am the only
example in Life that you need to follow. I am the Way, the
Truth, and the Life. #3. If you call on my name in a time
of need, my name will hold power and comfort. Use my name
in a righteous way and victory is yours. Read
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Knowing what the Bible not only says but
means is important so that you do not allow anyone to dictate
your walk with Christ or get you off track. When you stand
before the Lord - you will stand before Him alone. You,
only, will be accountable for your actions. It's a serious
responsibility to be a Christian. So dig into the Bible
for yourself and challenge your heart to find the truth
- not YOUR truth but God's truth for you. The Word says
to seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened.
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Walk through some basic questions and answers
like - Question: I have sexual attraction to other girls.
Does that make me a lesbian? Answer: Be sure not to jump to
conclusions. If you think a girl is pretty because she dresses
well or because you admire some of her qualities, that's normal.
If you notice her body and wish that yours looked like that,
give your body some time. God creates us in all different
shapes and sizes. Read
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